the ban of the anc was lifted and on february 11th, 1990, nelson mandela walked to freedom. >> nelson mandela, free at last and back among his people. >> i greet you all in the name of peace. >> 27 years in prison had not weakened mandela's resolve. >> as long as the government has not responded to our citizens. >> but he urged strength, telling blacks to throw their guns into the sea and reassuring whites. >> we want them to feel safe. >> mandela's courage and sacrifice were recognized around the world. in america, he was welcomed as a hero. mandela and the clerk were awarded the nobel peace prize in 1993. the following year in the first mixed race election in south africa's history, nelson mandela was elected president. today is a day like no other before us. >> we were the first to interview him on that first morning as president elect. mandela tempered south africa's joy when he said healing his country would take time. >> it cannot be done overnight. it is going to take a year, two years, even as much as five yea years. >> from enemy of the state to head of state, nelson mandela'